Dear Northside Neighbors, Partners, & Community,
As we welcome November, we are grateful for a busy and meaningful October on the Northside. From honoring our seniors, to keeping our community healthy, to making sure every voice is ready to be heard at the polls, neighbors showed up for one another all month long.
This month, we begin by pausing to remember members of the NACD family we have recently lost. Please join us in honoring Ernest Hightower, Amina Shakir, and Sam Little. Ernest and Amina served as members of NACD’s Board of Directors, while Sam was a former member of the Board. Their connection to NACD and commitment to bettering the Northside community will always be remembered. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and friends during this difficult time.
In November, we look ahead to a month of civic engagement, community connection, and giving thanks, beginning with Election Day TODAY. Let's take a look back at October and what's ahead this month.
On October 21st, NACD welcomed our seniors for Northside Senior Night, an evening dedicated to honoring the neighbors whose experience, wisdom, and leadership have helped shape the Northside.
On October 23rd, NACD hosted a Flu Clinic, helping neighbors take an important step to protect their health and the health of their families heading into the cold and flu season.
Thank you to our partners at Kalamazoo County Health & Human Services for making this clinic possible!
NACD was a part of two Party at the Polls events to help our community get ready for Election Day. On October 24th, we celebrated National Black Man Voter Day along with NAACP - Metropolitan Kalamazoo Branch, Douglass Community Association, and Michigan Voters Coalition!
And on October 26th, residents gathered at NACD for a Voter Education Rally with MTS Ministries and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Kappa Psi Lambda. Both events were built around one goal: making sure every neighbor feels informed, empowered, and ready to vote.
Diapers, Wipes, & Period Product Distribution | Every Monday & Wednesday, 9:00AM - 1:00PM
Through our partnership with Care Collective of Southwest Michigan, NACD continues to provide essential items to support families in our community. Appointment required, please call 269.344.5490.
Veteran 1st Office Hours | November 16th, 1:30 - 3:30PM
Veteran 1st Office Hours continue to provide dedicated one-on-one support for veterans and their families. Participants can connect with resources related to housing, food security, mental health, benefits navigation, and other supportive services. If you or someone you know is a veteran seeking assistance, we encourage you to stop by.
Resisting and Obstructing Arrests | October 8th, 12:00 - 5:00PM
Join us at NACD for an interactive community event on the findings of NowKalamazoo and the Campaign for Criminal Justice Transparency’s Resisting and Obstructing study. The evening will include a presentation of the project and a community discussion, with the goal of sharing perspectives and exploring opportunities for learning and collaboration.
The Champions Brunch | November 14th, 11:00AM - 1:00PM
This brunch supports graduating young men and women who have grown up without a father, helping open doors, create opportunities, and build brighter tomorrows. High school seniors are highly encouraged to attend! Tickets are $25 per person, and sponsorship opportunities are available.
Monthly Community Board Meeting | November 17th, 6 - 7PM
This is your opportunity to stay informed on local initiatives, share your concerns, and help shape the future of the Northside. Diapers, wipes, and period products will be available to attendees after the meeting. We need your input, Northside!
Fall Leaf Pickup Begins November 2nd
The City of Kalamazoo's fall leaf pickup season runs November 2 through December 12. You don't need to schedule a pickup or wait for crews to reach your neighborhood before raking. Place leaves in the proper collection area as they fall, and crews will collect them as they work their way across the city.
Crews start on the east side of Kalamazoo in Zone A, move west through Zones B and C, and repeat that route as many times as weather allows. There are no scheduled pickup dates for individual streets or neighborhoods, and the amount of leaves, weather, and other conditions can affect how quickly crews move.
Please place leaves on the curb lawn near the street, in loose piles, biodegradable paper bags, or cardboard boxes. If you don't have a curb lawn, place leaves near the street without blocking the roadway or sidewalk. Please remember to:
Keep leaves out of the street, sidewalks, and bike lanes
Keep piles away from storm drains, mailboxes, utility poles, and landscaping
Not mix trash or other materials into leaf piles
To see where crews are working, visit www.kalamazoocity.org/leafpickup for weekly updates and the online progress map.
NACD is proud to launch the Northside Home Repair Program Pilot, a new Housing & Neighborhood Stabilization Initiative designed to help Northside homeowners make critical repairs and remain safely in their homes.
This one-year pilot will offer two application cycles each year. In its first year, the program covers three types of repairs: windows, exterior doors and door frames, and garage doors. To be eligible, applicants must be at least 18, live within the Northside boundaries, own and live in the home as their primary residence, be listed on the deed or acceptable ownership documentation, and need a repair that falls within one of the three categories. NACD will review and approve each project and hire and pay the contractor directly.
Submitting an application does not guarantee selection or funding.
Read the full announcement on our website.
Are you a contractor interested in participating? Contractors can submit their information below!
Election Day is TODAY!
If you haven't voted yet, make sure you do today. Polls opened at 7:00 AM and close at 8:00 PM. Decide when you'll go, how you'll get there, and bring a friend or neighbor along.
Veteran’s Day is November 11th!
On November 11th, we honor and thank the veterans who live, work, and serve in our community and across the country. We are proud to partner with Veteran 1st to support veterans and their families, and we encourage you to take a moment to thank a veteran in your life.
Thanksgiving is November 26th!
From all of us at NACD, we wish every resident a Happy Thanksgiving filled with family, good food, and plenty to be grateful for. Please note that NACD will be closed Wednesday, November 25th through Friday, November 27th for Thanksgiving. Our office will reopen with normal business hours on Monday, November 30th. We appreciate your understanding and encourage anyone needing assistance to plan accordingly.
Check your Blood Pressure @ NACD
Did you know you can check your blood pressure right here at NACD? Thanks to the American Heart Association – Michigan and Beacon Kalamazoo, NACD is a Community Blood Pressure Hub, giving residents a convenient way to self-check their blood pressure during normal business hours. Stop by anytime, no appointment needed.
Whether you attend our events, volunteer your time, support our initiatives or simply help spread the word, you help make the Northside what it is. On this Election Day, we encourage you to make your voice heard. Make your plan, head to the polls, and bring a neighbor with you. Every vote counts, and our community is stronger when we all take part.
We are grateful for each of you, and we wish you and your family a safe and happy Thanksgiving.
Sincerely,
Jonathan Yarbrough
Executive Director
Northside Association for Community Development
